Mary Elizabeth (Letko) Holbrook

CHARLTON – Mary E. Holbrook of Charlton, NY, passed into the tender arms of our Lord on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family, four-year-old rottweiler Hulk, precious and sweet (but sometimes a handful) puppy Brook, two cats, and a rabbit.

Mary was born on November 28, 1944, in Little Falls, NY spending her formative years in Dolgeville, NY while her father, Michael Julian Letko served our country in WWII. She grew up in Scotia, NY graduating from Scotia High School. Education was very important to Mary. She received her associate degree from Hudson Valley Community College, her bachelor’s degree in Education from Lyndon State Teacher’s College in Vermont, and her master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from The College of St. Rose. She even took a course in American Sign Language, receiving a certification of studies from SUNY Albany.

She was incredibly proud of her children’s accomplishments, both educational as well as professional and vocational accomplishments. Mary also took pride in her Russian heritage. She especially enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Letko family home in Maplewood, Watervliet. The Russian Orthodox Church went from door-to-door singing, coming inside to get warm and have a libation or two to warm the vocal cords and soul.

Mary was an educator, clinician, and administrator during her career as a staunch advocate for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She absolutely loved being a grandma to her five grandsons and two granddaughters.

Mary is predeceased by her father Michael Julian Letko, her mother Elizabeth Marie (Letko) Hotaling, and her older brother Michael Harry Letko (“Big Mike”). She is survived by her husband James Holbrook, her amazing children she loved so dearly; James P. Holbrook (Rose), Sharon Holbrook-Ryan, Scott Holbrook (Racheal) and Brian Holbrook, her grandchildren Joshua Holbrook, Molly Ryan, Julia Holbrook, Sean Holbrook, Aiden Holbrook, Jack Ryan, and Logan Holbrook and her brother John Letko (Kathy).

Mary has made the ultimate selfless gesture of giving her body for scientific research and study to Albany Medical College’s Anatomical Gift Program.

A memorial service for Mary will take place at 10:30 on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at West Glenville Reformed Church, 2172, West Glenville Road, West Glenville, NY 12010. There will be a reception to follow. All are welcome to join. If you plan to attend, please reference WGRC’s indoor worship policy, which can be found on this website under the “Worship Plan” tab: http://westgrc.org/bulletin.

If you cannot make it in person, services will be live-streamed on WGRC’s YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/c/WestGlenvilleReformedChurch.

Memorial gifts may be made in Mary’s name to Saratoga Bridges, 16 Saratoga Bridges Boulevard, Ballston Spa, NY 12020- Phone (518) 587-0723 or online at https://www.saratogabridges.org/donate-now-2/.